Ferret question

[Rhasputin]

Ferrets are not related to mongooses. Ferrets are Mustelidae , which is the weasel family . Mongoose are closer related to hyenas and cats. And according to their common ancestors, mongoose are even more closely related to dogs than ferrets and other weasels.

While they do have similar body types, ferrets/weasels and mongoose are not related in any way other than being carnivores.

Yep yep yep. The closest a mongoose is to a ferret, is 'Carnivora'. . . That's a BIG difference!

[jager08]

Please enlighten me on which cousin of the ferret is used to kill snakes. Ferrets are bred to chase rabbits and kill vermin.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

Mongoses are used to kill cobras in india !

[satomi325]

Mongoses are used to kill cobras in india !

I don't deny that mongooses are used to kill snakes. However, I'll say again that Ferrets are not related to mongooses. (Refer to my previous post)
It is a common misconception to mistake ferrets and mongooses as relatives.
They are not even in the same family. Ferrets are in the weasel family. Mongooses are their own 'family' along w/ the meerkat. While they do look similar, are no way related. The only reason they may look similar is because they both evolved to fit similar niches in their own respective environments.

The closest relatives to mongooses are hyenas and cats. Ferrets are related to polecats, weasels, badgers, otters, etc etc.

The only thing the two animals share is that they are carnivorous mammals. That's all.

[Rhasputin]

The only thing the two animals share is that they are carnivorous mammals. That's all.

So ferrets are more like the Mongoose's cousin's brother's sister's mother's nephew's friend's brother's best friend's chiropractor.

[Homegrownscales]

Rotfl!


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

[jager08]

Per many soursed on the web they are distant relatives ......

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_ferret...ed_to_mongoose

[satomi325]

Per many soursed on the web they are distant relatives ......

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_ferret...ed_to_mongoose

Yes. They are related by being carnivores. Even your link says so.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

[Jabberwocky Dragons]

I don't think the relation matters. The both occupy very similar ecological niches and thus behave and look similarly. This is a great example of convergent evolution. They may not be related but are much more alike to each other than they might be to some of their "relations" because of this. In addition to their many other shared traits, they both have a killer instinct to hunt small game and I would certainly keep small snakes away from both mongooses and ferrets

Ours show no fear whatsoever and regularly go after the Doberman

[satomi325]

Per many soursed on the web they are distant relatives ......

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_ferret...ed_to_mongoose

For furthur elaboration, they are both in the same order of Carnivora. Same could be said about tigers, wolves, and bears, etc etc. By your logic, that means they're all cousins of the mongoose?? Your link states thy are related by being in this order.
Thy are all in the same order. Different families however. Carnivora just means they're all carnivores. They have to be in the same family to be considered a cousin and what not. So
To be related to a ferret, you have to be in the family of Mustelidaes.

Look up Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family,Genus, Species.
There are different levels of classification from species being more related and kingdom being least related. Animals can be in the same level, but still not be related. Like being in the same kingdom would just mean they are all Animals. Being in the same phylum means they all are chordates and have a spine. They also share class and order by being mammals and carnivores. This is where it gets specific. Family, genus, species.
Family classifies animals with their closely related cousins. So for example, all types of canines are in Canidae family. Genus gets more specific, so like wolves are separated from coyotes and other canines. And species is the specific animal. For example, the grey wolf is a specific species of wolf.

So with that said, ferrets and mongoose end their relationship at Carnivora.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk